A/N: Alrighty 13 days I think since the last update, once again this was a really hard chapter to write mostly because I wrote it blind without any sort of idea of what I wanted to happen so everything is rather spontaneous and sparatic. Lame, I know.

Anywho I don't own these wonderful characters.


Kurogane opened the front door of his house, after having returned from Fai's apartment, to be promptly acknowledged by his son. "Daddy! Are we goin' to the park." Kurogane grunted and walked to the garage to set down the paint supplies, a patiently waiting Mori trailing behind. Once the various items were back in place Kurogane turned to his son who ran to the stoic man and clamored into his father's arms.

"Where's your mom, kid," Kurogane asked walking out of the garage with Mori stationed on his back.

Mori piped up smiling brightly, "Mommy's sleeping." Kurogane stopped mid-stride turning his head so he could see his son's face.

"She left you down stairs. Alone," the small boy's father asked not liking the idea of the boy being ineffectively looked after.

Mori shook his head, "No. Mommy took a nap with me. Then I woke up!" He said throwing his hands in the air as if his waking up was the most fantastic thing of his day.

"Hn."He put Mori down in the living. Looking at his son sternly he asked, "Why did your mom fall asleep?"

Mori thought a moment playing with the hem of his shirt feeling as if he was about to get scolded. "I don't know. Mommy just said she didn't feel good," Mori said refusing to meet his father's gaze.

"Hey," Kurogane said lifting his sons chin, "you're not in trouble. Stay down here for a few minutes." He reached behind where he was crouched and handed his son Mokona and Modoki and ruffled his hair.

Mori swatted his dad's hand away smiling, "Okay, Daddy." Kurogane picked himself up and made his way up the stairs to his room where he assumed Yuuko would be sleeping. When he didn't find her he walked a bit down the hall to Mori's room where sure enough Yuuko was sleeping in their son's dragon bed. He walked over to the bed and crouched next to his fake wife rousing her from sleep.

Yuuko cracked her eye glaring at the man who had awoken her. "What," she mumbled into a pillow while turning away from Kurogane.

Kurogane continued, "Better not be sick."

Yuuko laughed darkly sitting up and pinching Kurogane's cheek, "Oh, aren't you caring."

Kurogane growled and swiped Yuuko's hand away much like his son had done to him. He scowled at the evilly smiling woman. "I'm not sick. I'm just tired."

Kurogane smirked, "Good, because I don't wanna pay a babysitter tomorrow."

Yuuko smiled knowingly, "And here I thought you were concerned about your wife."

"If you were to keel over it would only be a favor." Yuuko laughed at the taller man.

"Shut it, brute."

Kurogane walked towards the door. "Tch. I'm taking Mori to the park. Get some rest."

"I knew you were concerned," Yuuko said in a teasing manner. Kurogane picked up a random stuffed animal and threw it harshly at the dark haired woman who dodged it. He left the room and walked down the hallway to the stairs and into the living room where Mori was playing with his favorite toys.

"Let's go to the park then and when we're done we'll go eat dinner." Kurogane said to his son while walking into the kitchen for two water bottles.

Mori smiled open mouthed, "Yay!" He ran to get his shoes by the front door and grab his pail and shovel.

Outside the sun was beginning it's first decent in the sky and the air was deliciously warm as Mori ran ahead of his father towards the neighborhood park. Kurogane watched his son the usual scowl seeming less intimidating. He couldn't help but think about Fai as they arrived at the park and he handed Mori his bucket so the small boy could play in the sand. What exactly had he gotten himself into by agreeing to take Fai out, on a date no less. He had never taken anyone out on a date, not even Yuuko. What exactly did it mean for him? For them? Was there even a 'them'? Why couldn't things be simple? When he had agreed to doing something with Fai his skin had been hot and everything seemed out of focus. He was beginning to realize something about the idiot blonde. He liked the way he talked and laughed and smiled and showed how he felt in his eyes. The way his hair was silky and thick and his skin was soft to the touch. The moron made him nervous, made him want to keep talking. He was starting to realize that perhaps the idiot made him happy. Perhaps he even liked the other perfectly annoying man. Fuck.

It was approaching the end of their trip to the park and it was the scene that had been playing out during all their trips for the last seven months. Mori was standing at the top of the jungle gym looking at the fireman's pole. Kurogane watched his son touch the pole tentatively wrapping his fingers around the metal that had been warmed by the sun. He looked to his father sitting patiently for his son to decide what he was going to do. Mori looked away from his father and back top the pole leaning off the side of the jungle gym, hugging the pole to himself. He wrapped his right leg around the pole and giving into childhood faith he lifted his other foot and wrapped it around the pole. He descended the pole heart racing for the short ride before his feet hit the sand beneath him making a soft 'pat' sound. The small boy staggered up and looked to the pole amazed that he had finally accomplished it. His father rose prepared to take car of any scrapes."Daddy! I did it! Did you see me?"

Kurogane smirked at his son as he ran to him to share his victory. It was then that the stoic man thought to himself, maybe it is simple. All he had to do was grab on and let go giving way to the uncertain because chances were he was just over thinking.

~o~

Yuuko eyed Kurogane from the couch the next night noting that unlike most nights he went out he wasn't waiting for Mori to go to sleep. Not only that but he was trying hard to look like he hadn't put any effort into what he was wearing. In all actuality he had changed his shirt three times before settling on a plain black hoodie with a red dragon running up the center of the back and matching red wife beater with faded dark blue jeans.

He walked into the living room and bent over the couch to ruffle Mori's hair and say goodbye to his family. "You sure smell good," Yuuko said smiling as Kurogane stood up straight.

"Hn, I didn't do anything different. I don't know when I'll be back." Kurogane said with his signature scowl and monotone voice. Walking out the front door the tall man could hear his son saying goodbye and feel Yuuko smile after him.

Kurogane approached his usual parking spot preparing to go pick Fai up for the evening. In his mind he wasn't calling this a date. They were going out. There wasn't a plan other than the arcade. He approached the bar seeing that other people were opening the door to enter signaling the night had begun, at least for some.

The damn nervous feeling was back as he opened the bar door to see Tomoyo smiling behind the bar assisting a customer. She saw him and cocked her head to the stairwell signaling the man to go upstairs.

Fai was rushing about his apartment trying desperately to avoid a mirror so he wouldn't change. He was currently spraying himself with a fruity spray when he heard a knock on his door. He fluffed his hair once more before opening the door. "Kuro-pi!" He hugged the taller man and knowing that nobody could see them he kissed the others neck.

Kurogane grunted in mock aggravation, "Ready to go blondie?" Fai leaned back through the doorway and hit the switch for the light closing the door behind him.

"Ready when you are Kuro-myu," Fai said rocking on his heals waiting for Kurogane to take the lead down the stairs. The larger man turned in his irritated fashion and began his descent down the stairs with the smaller man happily trailing behind him as they made their way towards the door.

Fai waved goodbye to Tomoyo as him and Kurogane exited the bar to the quite back alley. The setting sun's warmth greeted his cheeks as he and the taller man began to stroll out to the main street in what could be described as a comfortable awkward silence. Fai's hands were clasped behind his back as he skipped and Kurogane's were shoved deep into his pockets. Fai smiled deviously seeing it was him that would have to open the lines of communication. "Kuro-chi, are we going to hold hands," Fai asked tugging on Kurogane's wrist.

The taller man blushed when he felt Fai's cool fingers tugging on his warm wrist. He extracted his hand and gently shoved the smaller away, "Fuck no, idiot." He shoved his hand back into his pockets balling his hands into fists.

Suddenly Fai realized why the larger man kept avoiding his eyes, why he was standing a safe distance away from the blonde, even for him. "Kuro-shy, you've never been on a date, huh?" Fai smiled amused as the man blushed yet again.

Kurogane growled but choose to speak other than turning around and heading towards his car. "What the fuck do you expect? I've been with Yuuko since I was 15 fucking-years-old and the only reason were together is because I decked a fucker in the face for harassing her." He smiled a little at the memory of blood. "And this isn't a date, moron!"

Fai smiled even wider, "Kuro-chu, have you ever been with a man?" Kurogane slapped his hand over his thoroughly red face and growled viciously. Seeing the man's reaction Fai began to laugh before throwing himself at the mans side and hugging him close.

"Get off of me you idiot," screamed Kurogane as he pried the blonde from him. "People will get the wrong idea, moron," he said more quietly but still aggravated as people stared at them when he yelled.

Fai backed off a respectable distance but still stayed within close proximity to the taller for which he was secretly thankful for. A moment of silence passed before Fai turned smiling warmly at the taller man who was still slightly fuming, "It's okay if you haven't Kuro-san."

Kurogane lulled this over in his mind for a bit, he knew the blonde meant what he said and he found comfort knowing that. "Blondie, what exactly do you wanna do tonight," he asked as they continued walking towards the arcade on the pier.

Fai thought a moment with an over animated gesture of his finger to his chin, "Hold Kuro-shy's hand." The taller narrowed his eyes at this prompting Fai to be serious."I don't care Kuro-chan, I'm just happy to be with you," he added shyly as they approached the pier.

Kurogane looked away blushing at the blonde's admission. "Hn," was all he said in reply. Beside him he could feel the bartender smile warmly as he resisted reaching out to the taller man he currently found himself with.

"Kuro-san, why did you choose the arcade," Fai asked as he saw the large doors leading to the arcade rising into view.

"I spent a lot of time here as a kid. At the pier in general. Me and my friends wrecked havoc. Riding our bikes up and down the pier, smoking under the stairs leading to the beach, getting into fights; the security guards chased us off more than once." He smiled remembering the stupidity of his youth.

Fai smiled too as Kurogane talked, "But why did you spend so much time here," asked Fai as Kurogane opened the heavy door for him.

The noise was loud and high pitched, the ringing was everywhere and the dim colored lights lit the expansive arcade room. "Lotsa people, easy to get lost in the crowd. To not be recognized when you don't want to be. At least it was that way when I was younger," he added the last part as he saw two youth from one of his classes kiss and giggle before ducking into a photo booth.

"Why would you wanna hide? I'm sure everybody wanted to hide from Kuro-scary," Fai said playfully jabbing Kurogane in the side.

The martial artist growled a bit not really wanting to give away all his secrets though knowing resistance was futile with the blonde. Still he had to try, "Let's get a drink," he said eying the bar while also hoping Fai would drop the subject.

"But Kuro-pi, you didn't answer my question." Fai whined, "and I own a bar, I don't need to go to one with you."

Kurogane huffed a slightly longer piece of hair out of his face, "Fine let's, um..." It was now that Kurogane became a bit flustered as the blue orbs belonging to Fai studied him.

"Why are you avoiding the question, Kuro-pu," Fai questioned amused at the larger man's frustration.

"I'm not avoiding anything blondie! It's not like you answer all my questions," he countered quite satisfied with himself as they stood in the middle of the arcade not yet busy with teenagers.

Fai pouted halfheartedly before perking up gaining an idea that could lead to an interesting evening. "Fine, let's play a game." Kurogane raised an eyebrow not expecting that from the blonde. "If you win I'll answer any question you want, if I win you answer mine."

Somehow the idea of redeeming himself in a challenge with Fai really appealed to him. "Agreed. But I pick the game this time."

Fai smiled broadly gesturing by throwing his arms away from his body, "What ever you say Kuro-chu."

Kurogane looked around for a certain machine he remembered being quite good at due to his athletic nature. "That one," he said pointing to a steel platform in front of which was a screen where demonstration arrows were traveling up the screen.

Fai didn't say anything, not having a chance to as Kurogane promptly walked towards the arcade game. Kurogane took the right side of the platform feeding the machine a dollar for both his and Fai's game. Said man joined the taller on the left side waiting for the familiar start up of the machine.

"You choose the song," Kurogane instructed Fai.

Fai tentatively stepped on the forward arrow stopping on each song choice to get a feel for the beat. Finally one song caught Fai's attention. It was fast and up beat. "Ooo! Let's play this one Kuro-chi," Fai said excitedly and selected the song.

Kurogane scoffed, "Of course you would pick the hardest goddamn song, moron." Kurogane threw his jacket off, preparing to sweat just a bit, before bracing himself on the red bar behind him. Fai on the other hand stood lazily in the center of his side waiting for the song to begin.

The screen brought up the dance screen and the song began. Both men began to move rapidly. The larger man was more concentrated on his screen, intense and focused as he hit nearly each arrow command perfectly. He was obviously a veteran and to his surprise as was Fai. The smaller of the two was moving more freely yet still keeping pace with his challenger. This went on for minutes and in the end both men were panting, waiting for the results.

"Looks like you won Kuro-fast," Fai said looking at the screen and seeing he had lost by two percent.

Kurogane let out a short laugh, "Damn straight." There was a short pause as they both caught their breath. The taller stood up straight putting his jacket back on, "All right, tell me about Ashura." He looked to Fai and the blonde's face feel. "Only tell me what you can, don't force anything."

Fai looked at the ground. "You said you spent a lot of time here when you were young, yes Kuro-sama?"

The larger man raised an eyebrow, "Yeah."

"Well where did you go to be alone," Fai asked looking up to Kurogane.

The taller man understood what the blonde wanted, "Follow me blondie." Both men went out the exit that lead to the boardwalk, the carnival like setting illuminated the sun kissed sky as they walked side by side. They got to the far end of the boardwalk both not saying anything as one was trying to think of what to say and the other was preparing himself for what the blonde would say. Suddenly Kurogane took a short flight of stairs onto the beach and crouched on one side of it where a door the same size and shape of the stairs was padlocked shut.

"Are we going in there, Kuro-myu," Fai asked looking around a bit paranoid that they would get caught.

Kurogane reached behind a plank of wood supporting the underbelly the boardwalk and extracted a small tin box which he opened and pulled out a thin metal rod and began picking the lock. "Yep, you wanted to know where I went to be alone. Looks like you might get your question answered after all bastard." It was with this that the lock popped open. Kurogane pocketed the lock and pulled the door slightly ajar taking the lead before ushering the blonde inside. Once both of them were in Kurogane closed the door and padlocked it from the inside. "Watch your step, there's lotsa shit to trip on." Eventually the small narrow pathway opened up to a larger room in which was a bunch of abandoned carnival equipment, signs, ride carts, and other things from the boardwalk's past.

Fai looked around in amazement when Kurogane used a leaver to turn on the lights which were various strings of Christmas lights. "What is this place Kuro-chu," he asked running his hand over the side of an apple cart.

"An old storage room," Kurogane replied making his way to the far end of the room where there was and old boxy stereo system with a six CD turner. "There's more down the boardwalk but this one is the oldest, so less people check up on it." Kurogane rifled through a small stack of CDs and put on a slightly heavier album.

Fai paused his exploration through the room to listen to the music. "How did you find it," he asked returning to his childish wonderment.

"My question first idiot," Kurogane said folding his arms about his broad chest. Fai looked back over his shoulder a solemn smile playing on his lips.

He looked away from the larger man, he might not be ready to tell Kurogane everything but he had to start somewhere. He was ready to start somewhere. "After I left home I stayed with a friend of mine...She happened to also be friends with Ashura." Fai paused as he felt his words coming out on shaky breaths. "He was so nice to me... Told me I... was worth the world, and more. He made me feel... special... Me special," Fai laughed darkly. "We started going out...and since he was older and had his own place I eventually moved in with him. At first everything was great. We were happy. Then one day it all changed. He..." Fai sniffed willing away the tears. "He started...beating." He threw his face into his hands and chocked the last of what he could stomach to relive, "Beating me."

Fai suddenly felt large strong arms slink around his waist. Kurogane rested his chin against the top of the smaller man's head. As Fai cried the taller held him feeling like an ass for asking him to talk about it. Though his words had been few and not detailed it was in the blonde's voice that Kurogane found the sadness within his past. It was in his voice that the larger man found his hatred and disdain for the man that had hurt what was now his to protect.

Kurogane pulled Fai over to an empty spot against the wall and sat down bringing Fai with him. "I'll fucking kill that bastard if he ever comes near you again." He pulled the blonde closer.

Fai looked at the ground, "It's not your job to worry about me Kuro-silly"

Kurogane grabbed the bartender by the shoulders and boar his red eyes into the cloudy blue ones. "It is my job, idiot! I don't know what you are to me but titles shouldn't fucking matter. What does matter is that you are mine to worry about." He searched the blue eyes for comprehension. He released the blonde and rested the man's head against his chest.

Fai's heart was weightless, floating around in his chest at the larger man's words. Fai's knees were pulled up to his chest and his head was resting against Kurogane as he listened to the larger man's heart beat. "Thank you," was all Fai said in response to the man's kind words. He looked up at the larger man's face, "Kuro-chi, can we hold hands now?"

The larger man growled and rolled his head against the wall before snapping it back towards the blonde. "You aren't going to let this go are you?"

Fai pouted, "Is Kuro-mean saying he doesn't want to hold my hand?" Said man scowled but let the blonde grab the hand not draped over his angular shoulders. Fai began playing with Kurogane's calloused hands. Gently running his fingers over the rough ones, pressing their hands together, applying and removing pressure to move the fingers back and forth. "So, how did you find this place Kuro-sneaky?"

The darker man sighed before answering. "I was fifteen, fourteen maybe, and I had a friend named Ainsley. We were pretty close and most of the time we came down here with friends to just fuck around. You know, smoke and drink. Regular teenage rebellion. Ains' brother showed him this place and he showed the rest of us."

Fai interlaced their fingers, "That doesn't explain why you would want to hide Kuro-mysterious."

"That's not what you asked me to explain, idiot." Kurogane laughed a little but obliged. "I didn't want people to see me and Ains together. He was the first guy I ever kissed, it happened to happen down here. Anyway we came here to hang out with each other, we never talked about what we did we just did what we wanted. It was the one place I could be myself. I guess I was hiding from one side of myself more than anything else."

Fai laughed, "You didn't want to tell me about your first boyfriend."

Kurogane scowled, "Shut the fuck up, he wasn't my boyfriend!" Fai smiled calmly at him and kissed the taller man's hand softly.

"It makes me happy that you were happy at one point before you married Yuuko." Fai said looking away shyly.

Kurogane tilted the man's head so the delicious blue eyes would meet the menacing red ones. "Don't look away from me, moron. There's no reason to."

Fai looked at Kurogane seriously and putting his heart on the line he simply said, "I really like you."

The taller man looked back at him, "I guess I like you too, blondie" He closed the gap between himself an the blonde bringing their lips together tenderly pulling away a bit before bringing their lips back together. He pulled away reluctantly, "Hey, our dates not over yet. Let's go ride some rides."

Fai smiled up at the taller man, "I thought this wasn't a date, Kuro-liar." Kurogane stood offering his hand to help Fai to his feet.

"It's not a date! Now do you wanna go ride some rides or what," Kurogane asked blushing realizing that he had called this a date.

"Let's go," Fai screeched skipping off towards the exit. Kurogane rolled his eyes but still followed the spastic blonde. Once Kurogane got to the exit he began picking the lock. "Can we ride the teacup?"

Absentmindedly Kurogane replied,"Sure."

"Can we go in the haunted house?"

"Hn."

"Can we eat eat carnival food, ride the roller coaster, and the ferris wheel and the skyline?"

The lock popped open and Kurogane growled, "We can do whatever the fuck you want, okay?" He pushed the door open slightly to check for people before emerging onto the beach and pulling Fai behind him. "C' mon, let's go get wrist bands." Fai began skipping like a child causing the taller man to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "Why are you so excited," he asked the blonde, his hands shoved into his pockets.

"It's been a really long time since I've been to an amusement park, or anything like this," Fai explained reaching the boardwalk with Kurogane beside him.

The darker scoffed as they entered the thickening crowd heading towards the ticketing counter, "It's just an amusement park."

Fai laughed lightly, "When I was little me and my brother would go to the local water and ride park nearly everyday during the season. Our mom and dad worked and we lived on the opposite side of the city. We would take three buses and biked 10 miles just to go to the park for the day."

Kurogane looked skeptically at the blonde, "That must have been expensive after a while."

"Mom and dad were both really successful, when I say we lived on the other side of town I mean we lived in a prestigious gated community with private schools and no public transportation for 10 miles." Fai paused for a moment thinking over his words, "I really hated that place, everything was so fake," he said disgusted at the memories.

Kurogane smirked imagining Fai having to behave. "You use to be part of a prestigious community?" Kurogane was still silently laughing at the image.

"Not by choice, Yuui always fit into the role better than I did. There were just to many rules with no room to be myself." Fai suddenly laughed, "I think me and Yuui were the only kids with bikes, everyone else had their nanny drive them places."

Kurogane thought a moment, "So in other words you were going to your amusement park to be yourself."

Fai turned and smiled warmly, "Yeah I guess you're right. Me and you were running to the same kind of place for the same reason, Kuro-puu." Fai smiled contently to himself as he recalled his summers spent with his brother when they approached the ticket counter behind which a pretty girl took Kurogane's money undeniably batting her eyelashes and using a flirtatious tone through the exchange. Fai felt his cheeks burn as she put the plastic bracelet on the larger man and quickly trail her fingers not so discreetly over the top of the mans hand. She then rather unceremoniously put Fai's bracelet on him.

Kurogane mumbled a thanks to the girl who audibly sighed as the two men walked away. He looked out the side of his eye to see Fai glare at the ground as Kurogane walked towards the closest ride which happened to be the slingshot, a tall tower around which the seats faced out and the seats shot into the air and then dropped back down. "What's your problem blondie, you were smiling like an idiot two minutes ago," He said crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the railing seeing they would have to wait at least two more loads before it would be their turn.

"Do women always treat you like that," he ventured expecting to be laughed at. To his surprise Kurogane just looked at him not understanding. "Like, do they always flirt with you?"

The larger man snorted harshly, "Yeah I guess, it's not like they're going to get anywhere so I don't pay attention. There's no need to get jealous, moron."

"Hey I'm not jealous... I just would rather they not. There's a difference." He pouted slightly.

Kurogane rolled his eyes, "Not really a difference at all." He looked behind him, "Blondie look," he commanded. "You see that guy?" He motioned to a particular guy giving himself whiplash trying to continue looking at the blonde.

"Yeah," he looked back to the taller man who looked back into the crowd.

"Okay, good, now you see that girl," Kurogane pointed across the crowd. Fai obediently looked and locked eyes with a young brunette who blushed and looked away. Fai looked at her curiously though she wasn't returning his gaze any longer. "See you get checked out by both sexes, I think I have more of a right to glare at the ground like a five year old."

Fai looked back also blushing at the realization that he was so unaware of the people interested in him, it made him a bit uncomfortable and he instinctively scooted closer to Kurogane. "Kuro-brutal is to manly to stare at the ground."

The two scooted up in line as it was now their turn to board the ride. "Damn straight, any fucker ever acts on anything I will knock their fucking teeth out." The attendant of the ride looked frightened as she overheard the last of what Kurogane was saying while checking the restraints.

Suddenly a bored half high sounding teenager came on the loud speaker, "Welcome to The Rocket enjoy your ride." It was then that the circle of seats took off, shrill scream of girls and Fai could be heard as well as whoops from the males minus Kurogane who clenched his teeth together. The ride stopped at the top of the tower giving the riders a bird-eye view of the beach and boardwalk. Once the passengers were fully aware of the beauty surrounding them it was then that the ride dropped again sending the passengers screaming before coming to a safe halt.

"That was great Kuro-chi! I haven't been on a ride in years," Fai smiled broadly and Kurogane looked at him suddenly content with himself for being able to make Fai smile like his life hadn't been full of tragedy.

The day wore on, the sun had finally set in the distance and the boardwalk was lit up with strings of carnival light. The longer they stayed together the two men found themselves falling into deeper conversations about lost dream, hopes for the future, memories, and trivial nothings that are honestly the bulk of everyday conversations. It was all too normal, like everything had been leading them to this, a boardwalk and amusement park rides.

Fai smiled up at the taller man as they approached the front of the line for overpriced food. The lights danced on his pale skin illuminating it in reds, yellows, blues, and greens flashing in rapid time, "I cannot believe you've never had carnival food Kuro-cheap!"

Kurogane ran his hand over his face for the umpteenth time that evening, the last time being when Fai had made him ride the roller coaster for the fifth time in a row. "I told you, you idiot, I never felt the need to spend seven dollars on a fuckin' hotdog. For the money I'm about to spend here I could take you to a restaurant. Tch."

Fai smiled having gotten to the counter, "I would like a funnel cake and chocolate shake for myself and," Fai paused looking behind him at Kurogane, "and chili cheese fries and a beer for my friend." He handed over a few bills to cover the cost and moved over to the side to wait for the food.

Kurogane leaned against the cart crossing his arms, "I would have payed, and I can order for myself."

"I know, Kuro-pii, but you've payed for everything else tonight, and if you had ordered you would have gotten the cheapest thing and missed out on the greasy goodness," Fai said as the food came up in the pick-up window. Fai took his food and sat at a wooden table that hadn't been thoroughly cleaned in ages, he loved it.

They sat at the table Fai savoring the taste of his funnel cake and his shake. Kurogane on the other hand grimaced when his taste buds met the lukewarm beer. "I can't believe you spent money on this shit, blondie," he said popping a drenched chili cheese fry into his mouth to try to cover the taste of his beer. His face went into a deep scowl, "This is horrible."

Fai laughed exuberantly, "Then why do you keep eating it," he asked as the larger man continued eating his over priced meal.

The man growled, "I'm not going to let you waste your money." He paused deciding to utilize the fork that had come with his meal, "And it's so horrible it's good. Kinda like you."

Fai smiled sheepishly before saying, "Waaah! Kuro-meanie doesn't like me!" Kurogane rolled his eyes and continued to eat letting the blonde make a scene knowing that he would eventually calm down and by reacting like he so wanted to would only add fuel to the fire.

Regardless he couldn't let the idiot say things like that, "You know that's not true, moron," he mumbled out shoving food into his mouth wondering how the blonde had gotten him to eat this crap.

"What was that Kuro-shy," Fai asked teasingly. "Could it possibly be that you like me?" He cupped his hand over his ear and leaned over the table towards the red-eyed man.

Kurogane looked away from the blonde, "Tch, in your dreams, blondie."

Fai sat back down and smiled satisfied, "That's Kuro-talk for, yes." Kurogane scoffed making a rough throaty sound in reply. Fai sucked the last of his extremely chocolatey shake and stood, nature was calling him.

Kurogane took notice, "Hey, where you going?"

"Aww, is Kuro-woof concerned about me leaving him," Fai teased stretching his arm up causing his stomach to become exposed.

The taller of the two looked away in irritation, "Whatever, see if I care." Fai smiled and reached across the table ruffling the man's spikes causing Kurogane to growl while barring his teeth.

He turned, throwing over his shoulder, "I'm going to the bathroom Kuro-nosey" He sauntered away towards a hallway meant to look like a cave with plastic rock drilled around the entrance. The hallway was relatively empty save the children running from the bathroom back to the park. Fai side stepped them and smiled at the childhood innocence. It was once the cave was empty that he felt a presence. He turned assuming he would see the man he came with coming to make sure he hadn't done anything stupid. Instead he found the guy that Kurogane had pointed out earlier walking towards him, though there was no reason to suspect that the man was after anything other than the bathroom door as well.

Fai turned brushing the man off only to turn when the man called after him, "Hey there." He seemed nonthreatening enough and Fai not one to be rude answered.

"Hi," he replied smiling. "Can I help you?"

The man stepped closer, "Why don't you come hang out with me and my friends, I bet I could show you a real good time."

There was a time not to long ago where Fai would have accepted the offer and followed the man off to god knows where to do god knows what but he found himself feeling uncomfortable. The other man must have noticed as he backed Fai into wall placing one hand on the wall by Fai's head and strung the thumb of his other hand through his belt loop. Fai pressed himself firmly against the wall. "C' mon," he said running his hand over Fai's cheek, "ditch that prick and come mess around with a real man, baby."

"Kurogane, is not a prick. He's nothing like you," Fai said in a whimper while also trying to push the man away. It wasn't that the man was significantly bigger than Fai he was just stronger and he proved by pinning Fai's wrist against the wall. His grip was tight and Fai felt his skin begin to bruise, this was all to familiar to nights Fai's abusive ex would come home beat Fai and then apologize with sex. He closed his eyes and prayed it would be over soon.

The man began to plant sloppy most likely drunk kisses on Fai's face and his hand not pinning Fai's wrist found it's way to the waistband of Fai's pants and roughly grabbed at his skin.

Suddenly the man fell away after Fai heard the connection of fist to flesh Fai opened his eyes to see Kurogane connect his fist to the mans face successfully knocking him out and simultaneously drawing blood from the assailant lips. Kurogane screamed drawing his hand back for another blow, "You bastard!" The sound of Fai whimpering into a cry brought him out of his rage to focus on the reason he had become so protective. Fai slumped on to the ground covering his face with his hands.

Kurogane knelt down so his face was level with Fai. He pulled the trembling hands away from Fai's face and tilted the smaller man's angular face to his. "I'm taking you home blondie," Kurogane said simply pulling his hood over his head and helping Fai to his feet. The blonde leaned into the larger man's broad protective chest and uncaring of who might be watching Kurogane pulled the blonde closer. He snaked his hand downward to Fai's hand. Fai flinched but Kurogane did not relinquish his hold on the blonde's pale hand knowing that regardless of how shaken the smaller was this is what he wanted at that moment. Kurogane interlaced their fingers and gently tugged the blonde out of the hallway and into the blinding lights that would hide them in the open.

Fai was walking in a daze out of the park he was though acutely aware of the warm hand intertwined with his. The warm person pulled him closer as soon as they were on a quite street. He didn't hold is against him that he was hiding his face from the crowds; in fact he was more than aware that it was a nearly necessary thing with the relationship they found themselves in. He was also thankful that Kurogane had saved him not only from himself at times but from the outside world wanting to hurt him; the man pulled Fai closer causing him to snap back to reality. The cool sea breeze was rushing over his flushed face and tousled his blonde hair gently around his shoulder's. Kurogane hadn't spoken and Fai knew the man was cursing himself for not killing the stranger from the cave.

Fai looked up at the taller tentatively, "Thank you Kuro-chu." He kissed the taller man's clothed bicep.

Kurogane grunted, "Thank me for what? For not realizing the guy had followed you sooner? For not going with you? For letting you get hurt?" Fai stared forward as they walked the back alleys towards the Cat's Eye no doubt Kurogane's unspoken want to be with the blonde longer. "I should have fucking killed that guy, blondie."

Fai wrapped his arms around Kurogane's bicep. "Don't do that to yourself Kuro-myu, you saved me. The important thing is that you stopped it from becoming worse."

Kurogane became angry at the man who had touched what was his, he was able to contain it though holding on to the fact the blonde was okay and needed him to be in control. "He bruised you." He paused for a moment anger growing, "The fucker bruised you Fai."

Fai thought a moment knowing brushing it off as nothing would only anger the taller. "It could have been worse," he said burying his head into the warm arm while they rounded the corner to the Cat's Eye. Fai knowing there would be a crowd let go of the taller man's arm and spaced himself from the larger man, they were just friends walking.

Inside the Cat's Eye was lively with the holiday rush. So lively that both men went hardly noticed as they silently went up to Fai's apartment. Once inside Fai turned on the light and Kurogane removed his jacket. "Let me see," Kurogane said following the blonde into the kitchen area.

Fai grabbed his wrist instinctively, "See what Kuro-manly?"

Kurogane growled, "Tch. You know damn well what, moron." Fai didn't remove his hand from his wrist being use to hiding such bruises. Kurogane became irritated and assertively grabbed Fai's forearm bringing the forming bruise to light. Fai looked at Kurogane mortified. The taller gently ran his thumb over the blue black skin that was shaped as fingers. "Flex your wrist" Kurogane commanded. Fai did as told, "Does it hurt blondie?"

Fai relaxed in the hold, "Not to badly Kuro-softy." Kurogane growled but brought Fai's wrist to his lips kissing the tender flesh.

"I'm sorry blondie, I should have been there sooner. Don't tell me otherwise." He gently gave Fai back his wrist which the blonde cradled against his chest "Did he bruise you else where, blondie," Kurogane asked straightening his back.

Fai shook his head quickly, "No, I'm okay Kuro-chi."

Kurogane looked sternly at the blonde. "Don't lie to me," he said crossing his arms.

Fai looked away from the taller, "My hip hurts."

"Fuck," Kurogane seethed punching a pillar in Fai's apartment. "Show me."

Fai knew resistance was futile and pulled away the fabric covering his angular hip. Kurogane stepped forward placing his hands gently on Fai's hips massaging the bruised section carefully with his thumb. Fai let his head collapse against Kurogane's chest. "Why didn't you scream blondie," Kurogane mumbled into the blonde hair.

Fai began to shake his head recalling how useless it was to scream with Ashura, old habits died hard and when he had found himself in a similar situation all the old instincts came back. He brought his hands to the front of Kurogane's shirt and clutched the fabric as his began to silently cry willing the sudden panic and flood of memories away. "Be-because I couldn't." He began to shake in Kurogane's arms, in response the taller man lifted the shaking man and gently put him down on his bed. He went to sit on the floor by the side of the bed but Fai's hand wouldn't release the red fabric. Kurogane looked into the teary blue eyes silently pleading for the man to be next to him, not by him. Fai gently pulled the larger man over him so that he was laying next to him on the left side of the bed.

Fai squirmed closer so he was buried in Kurogane's chest and he started crying all over again. Kurogane wrapped his arms around the small of the blonde's back. He didn't expect to get his answer so he was surprised when Fai began to speak. "I wanted to scream, Kuro, but when I was with... Ashura... it was only worse when I screamed. It felt like that all over again. It was to familiar."

Kurogane brought his hand to Fai's face and wiped away the tear streaming from his blue eyes. Kurogane had always been a man of little words anything he said at this point would be anger directed at anybody who had hurt the blonde so instead he expressed everything by bringing the blonde flush against his body and kissing the top of Fai's head and rubbing his cheek against the blonde locks. Fai began to drift off to sleep Kurogane sensing this began to get up causing the blonde to open his eyes, "Kuro-warm, are you leaving?"

Kurogane reached the door frame and switched off the light darkening the room, "Hn, no." He kicked off his shoes and crawled back into the foreign bed and resuming their previous position. Fai watched the taller man close his eyes before stretching his neck to meet Kurogane's unsuspecting lips.

Kurogane cracked his eye looking at the blonde. Fai smiled contently, "I'm happy you're here, Kuro-myu. Despite everything you make me happy."

Kurogane closed his eyes and smirked and brought the blonde closer if it was possible, "Good." Both men began to drift off to sleep revealing in the warmth and comfort of the other. Something about this moment was perfect regardless of the night. For once in a very long time for both men something was changing for the better.


I am well aware that I was promising an M rating and I really did try to make it happen, it was just fucking up my plot. Overall I'm really happy with the GENERAL outcome because I got the level of relationship development between Kuro and Fai I wanted. I still have the lemony scene backed up and will not be using it in the actual story but if enough of you guys want it I'll post it as a bonus chapter to hold you guys off because the next update might run even later due to the fact I have no plot goal for it. So if you want it say so and if I do post please remember it will have absolutely no relation to the story other than a cut scene.

I kinda got lazy and slacked the editing, PM me if you find any gross errors.

Anyway I think I might start dabbling with another fanfic idea for a cross over or a tradgedy for Tsubasa. Just letting you guys know. :)

Anyway, I love you beautiful people, so click the blue button below.